Basal cell

A microscopic image of a prostate gland featuring an example of basal cells

A basal cell is a general cell type that is present in many forms of epithelial tissue throughout the body. Basal cells are located between the basement membrane and the remainder of the epithelium, effectively functioning as an anchor for the epithelial layer and an important mechanism in the maintenance of intra-organ homeostasis.

Basal cells can interact with surrounding cells including neurons, the basement membrane, columnar epithelium, and underlying mesenchymal cells. They also engage in interactions with dendritic, lymphocytic, and inflammatory cells, with the majority of these interactions occurring in the lateral intercellular gap between basal cells.

Basal cells have important health implications since the most common types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. More than 1 million instances of these cancers, referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are expected to be diagnosed in the United States each year, and the incidence is rapidly increasing. Basal and squamous cell malignancies, while seldom metastatic, can cause significant local damage and disfigurement, affecting large sections of soft tissue, cartilage, and bone.

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